Medical Malpractice Claims

Innovative Law Firm Serving Greater Vancouver & Areas Throughout British Columbia

Vancouver doctor stands next to the scale of justice for medical malpracticeWhether it’s for the common cold, a surgical procedure, or cancer treatments, we generally have an intrinsic trust of our treating physicians. Sometimes, though, doctors and other medical professionals fall short of their duty to provide appropriate care and treatment; this is medical negligence and can give rise to a “medical malpractice” case. From surgical instruments left in the body to misdiagnosis, there are many ways medical negligence occurs in British Columbia and other Canadian provinces. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries. 

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, illness, or death due to medical negligence, contact our medical malpractice lawyers at Stephens & Holman today at (604) 730-4120. Our Vancouver lawyers serve 25 locations throughout British Columbia and have decades of experience in helping injured victims. 

What is Medical Malpractice? 

Medical malpractice encompasses a wide variety of instances in which a doctor, nurse or other medical provider fails to offer appropriate treatment or diagnosis, leading to injury or illness that could have been prevented with proper care. An estimated 70,000 Canadians fall victim to these circumstances every year, which have drastic consequences such as paralysis and wrongful death. Examples of medical negligence include: 

Negligent Care 

Negligent medical care can involve misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis or the overall sub-standard treatment of the patient, which is determined based on the treatment a similarly trained doctor or nurse would have offered if the patient had gone to see another provider. This may also apply if the doctor failed to refer the patient to a specialist or other physician who would have addressed the problem or condition correctly. Obstetrical negligence falls under this category in which a medical provider fails to recognize and treat issues that lead to injury to the mother or child. 

Surgical and Medication Mistakes 

Surgical, diagnostic, and medication mistakes are commonly involved in Canadian medical malpractice claims. Many people don’t realize just how often a surgical instrument is left inside the body, or an anesthesiologist fails to administer the proper dosage. These missteps can lead to severe injuries that cause patients to go through additional procedures and pain and suffering. The wrong medication or dose can even lead to death. 

Refusing to Provide Care and Failure to Get Informed Consent 

Doctors and other medical professionals can refuse to treat a patient if they don’t have experience or knowledge in addressing their specific health condition or concern; however, if a medical provider refuses to treat a patient based on discrimination such as gender, race, ethnicity, or marital status, these can be grounds for medical malpractice.

Additionally, doctors are legally and ethically required to notify you of the risks and side effects involved in your potential treatment, which is called “informed consent”. If your doctor fails to discuss the details of your medication, treatment, or procedure, and this failure leads you to make a decision without informed consent that results in injury or illness, you may have a medical negligence claim. 

These are just a few instances of medical negligence in Vancouver and surrounding areas.  There are many areas in which malpractice can occur. 

How to Pursue a Medical Malpractice Claim Under Canada Law 

infographic discussing how to pursue a medical malpractice claim in British ColumbiaCanada uses a single-payer healthcare system. Physicians typically have a private practice and bill the insurance plan for services rendered. Doctors are required to carry medical liability insurance through the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), which means medical malpractice claims are aggressively defended on behalf of the doctors by the CMPA.  The CMPA has vast resources, making pursuing justice and compensation challenging. 

It is, therefore, crucial to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer who understands the nuances of Canadian Law and medical malpractice. There are some ways you can strengthen your case, including saving all paperwork and records of communications (no matter how insignificant they may seem) and acting as soon as possible. There are time limits on how long you have to file a negligence claim for compensation, which in British Columbia is typically two years from the incident that caused injury, illness, or death. 

At Stephens & Holman, we have the legal expertise to help you file and pursue your medical malpractice claim, including access to medical experts to look over your files and confirm negligence occurred. 

Contact A Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Vancouver 

If you suspect that you or a family member has suffered injury due to medical malpractice, contact our injury lawyers in Vancouver today at (604) 730-4120 for a case evaluation. Stephens & Holman has 25 locations throughout British Columbia.